Conservation Field Trips - Richland County
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Conservation Guest Speakers - Richland County
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Details
Action in the Classroom
Janice Allen, janiceallen@greenleafedu.com
1-800-768-7348
"Action in the Classroom" provides classroom presentations on recycling, natural resources conservation, groundwater, and energy for students in fifth grade, seventh grade, and high school.
Aquarium Specialty
Scott Groseclose, info@aquariumspecialty.com
803-788-4445
535 Clemson Rd. #D, Columbia, SC, 29229
Field trip program includes presentation about corals, tour of coral farm operation, and demonstrations of captive coral propagation. Can accommodate 20-30 students at one time.
Camp Discovery
https://www.campdiscoverysc.org/
info@campdiscoverysc.org
803-754-2008
208 Claude Bundrick Rd., Blythewood, SC 29016
Discovery Day programs include a classroom lesson, interpretive hike and animal encounter. Programs are aligned with SC Science Standards for grades K-12. Costs and the length of programs vary based on grade.
Carolina Science Outreach (CSO) at USC
carolinascienceoutreach@gmail.com
CSO's purpose is to share scientific knowledge with the people of South Carolina - to show everyone that science is powerful, beautiful, and fun! Offers a variety of STEM presentations and interactive programs to bring into classrooms.
Carolina Wildlife Center
https://carolinawildlife.org
info@carolinawildlife.org
803-772-3994
45-60 minute programs for groups of up to 100 students. The programs can be adapted to coincide with a specific area of study and different age groups.
City of Columbia - Columbia Water
https://columbiascwater.net/
Mimi Draft, Minnetta.Draft@columbiasc.gov
Utilities Communication Coordinator
803-545-0184
Drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater outreach programs provided for free to the Midlands and surrounding areas; Presentations can be adapted by topic and age range including K-12 and adults.
City of Columbia Parks
https://parksandrec.columbiasc.gov/
803-545-3100
Many of Columbia's City Parks offer free programs for students ages 6-16, including public walks and guided tours. It may be possible to schedule specific activity by talking with staff members.
City of Columbia Recycling
https://publicworks.columbiasc.gov/drop-off-locations/
Samantha Yager, shyager@columbiasc.net
803-545-3803
Recycling education programs for students and community groups located in the City of Columbia.
City Roots Urban Organic Farm
https://www.cityroots.org/education/
Erin Eisele, erin@cityroots.org
803-254-2302
1005 Airport Blvd., Columbia, SC, 29205
Wide variety of field trip programs and hands-on activities that can be tailored to students of different ages.
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Clemson Extension
https://www.clemson.edu/extension/carolinaclear/regional-consortiums/rcsc/programs.html
Karen Jackson, karen7@clemson.edu
803-865-1216 ext. 116
Stormwater and water quality education programs for a variety of different age levels, ranging from summer camps to Adopt-A-Stream monitoring to watershed health presentations.
Congaree National Park
https://www.nps.gov/cong/learn/education/index.htm
803-776-4396
100 National Park Rd., Hopkins, SC 29061
Park is available for unguided trips at all times and offers guided field trips on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.
Creative School Programs
https://www.creativeschoolprograms.com/
Tim Sonefelt, timsonefelt@me.com
"Trash Can Tim's Environment Show" educates, enlightens, and entertains!
EdVenture Children's Museum
https://edventure.org/fieldtrips/
bookit@edventure.org
803-400-1151
211 Gervais St., Columbia, SC 29201
Programs for K-8 offered at the museum, including Homeschool Fridays. Edventure-To-Go brings presentations to your classroom.
Gills Creek Watershed Association
https://www.gillscreekwatershed.org/
803-727-8326
Provides education about watersheds and water quality with a geographic focus on the Gills Creek Watershed, which is one of the largest impaired urban watersheds in South Carolina. The watershed includes portions of the cities of Columbia, Cayce, Forest Acres, and Arcadia Lakes; as well as portions of unincorporated Richland County and the US Army's Fort Jackson.
Harbison State Forest
https://www.state.sc.us/forest/eduwork.htm
803-896-8890
5500 Broad River Rd., Columbia, SC 29212
Harbison State Forest offers a variety of educational programs including the Wood Magic Forest Fair and the South Carolina Teachers' Tour, as well as opportunities to informally tour the forest.
Keep the Midlands Beautiful
https://keepthemidlandsbeautiful.org/
803-733-1139
Class presentations about litter reduction, shoe recycling, and more; support and resources for litter clean-ups and Adopt-A-Spot activities.
Litter Trashes Everyone Puppet Show
https://www.palmettopride.org/education/school-programs/
John Scollon, puppetgnomes@msn.com
803-252-7366
PalmettoPride, along with the Columbia Marionette Theatre, presents “Litter Trashes Everyone” – a twenty minute educational performance featuring marionettes and hand puppets that conveys the message that every citizen has a responsibility to help keep South Carolina beautiful. The free puppet show is available to all elementary schools in South Carolina and targets children in grades K-5.
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Richland County 4-H
https://www.clemson.edu/extension/4h/index.html
803-865-1216
The South Carolina 4-H Youth Development Program uses a learn-by-doing approach, the involvement of caring adults, and the knowledge and resources of Clemson University and the land grant university system to empower youth to become healthy, productive, and contributing members of society.
Richland County C&D Landfill
https://richlandcountysc.gov/Government/Departments/SolidWasteRecycling.aspx
803-576-2446
The Richland County Construction and Demolition (C&D) Landfill receives construction and demolition debris, which typically consists of roadwork material, excavated material, demolition waste, construction/renovation waste, and site clearance waste.
Richland County Solid Waste and Recycling
https://richlandcountysc.gov/Government/Departments/SolidWasteRecycling.aspx
803-576-2446
Richland County Stormwater Management
https://richlandcountysc.gov/Government/Departments/PublicWorks/Stormwater.aspx
803-576-2491
Outreach and education focused on stormwater and water quality, including watershed awareness, Adopt-A-Stream sampling, and more.
Richland County Vector Control
https://richlandcountysc.gov/Residents/VectorControl.aspx
Adriane Allen, ALLEN.ADRIANE@richlandcountysc.gov
803-576-2459
Presentations to educate students on how to protect themselves from mosquitoes. They also encourage students to get involved in their communities to help prevent mosquito problems.
Richland Recycles Day
803-576-2446
This annual one-day event at the State Fairgrounds is available to 4th and 5th grade students. Participants will learn about reducing, reusing, recycling, composting, conserving energy and keeping our air, land and water clean! Lunch is provided and students receive a bookbag full of earth-friendly goodies.
Richland Soil and Water Conservation District
www.richlandcountysc.gov/rswcd
Chanda Cooper, cooper.chanda@richlandcountysc.gov
803-576-2084
The District offers a limited number of class presentations for Richland County preK-12 students on topics including forestry, wildlife, ecology, soil health, water quality, gardening, composting, and agriculture. Additionally, District representatives are available to speak to community and civic groups about District programs and initiatives.
Riverbanks Zoo and Garden
https://www.riverbanks.org/education/school-and-group/
education@riverbanks.org
803-602-0803
500 Wildlife Parkway, Columbia, SC 29210
Educational programs including class presentations, assembly-style events, and tours. The cost is $55 per program.
SC DHEC Bureau of Air Quality
https://www.scdhec.gov/HomeAndEnvironment/K12SchoolsStudentsTeachers/B2BreatheBetterProgram/
Amy Curran, curranaa@dhec.sc.gov
(803) 898-0717
The SC DHEC Bureau of Air Quality provides support for the Breathe Better (B2) anti-idling campaign, ozone flag program, and other SC Green Steps School air quality projects.
SC DNR Trout in the Classroom Program
https://www.dnr.sc.gov/aquaticed/trout/index.html
Sara Chaabane, ChabaaneS@dnr.sc.gov
803-737-8483
Students raise trout from eggs, and are responsible for daily maintenance and care of the fish. Teachers can correlate the experience to the South Carolina Science Academic Standards.
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SC Forestry Commission
https://www.state.sc.us/forest/
Matthew Schnabel, MSchnabel@scfc.gov
803-896-8892
Programs cover a wide range of environmental topics, from forestry and forest management to ecology and resource conservation.
SC Garden-based Learning Network
https://www.scgardenlearning.com/
Dr. Arlene Marturano, scgardenlearning@gmail.com
The SC Garden-based Learning Network offers onsite workshops, seminars, and demonstrations on gardening for all ages.
SC Wildlife Federation
https://www.scwf.org/
Sara Green, sara@scwf.org
803-609-4778
Programs include backyard and schoolyard habitats as well as the Junior Naturalist Program.
Sesquicentennial State Park - Discover Carolina
https://southcarolinaparks.com/sesqui/introduction.aspx
Stacey Jensen, sjensen@scprt.com
803-788-8332
9564 Two Notch Rd., Columbia, SC 29224
Programs and tours are available year-round for all ages. Popular programs include guided nature walks, night hikes and bat programs. Sesquicentennial is also a DiscoverCarolina Site, which provides curriculum-based science education programs for South Carolina school children.
Students Engaged in Aquatic Sciences (SEAS) at USC
seasoutreach@gmail.com
803-777-6163
SEAS is a student organization at USC that gives classroom presentations to all grades. Presentations vary by grade level, are aligned with SC Science Academic Standards, and focus broadly on aquatic science and climate change. Program topics include turtle conservation, sharks, climate ethics, and aquaponics, among others.
Solarize SC
https://www.solarizesc.org
803-727-2156
Solarize SC offers presentations on solar energy for students, teachers, and community members.
Sonoco Recycling Education Center
https://www.sonocorecycling.com/educationresources.aspx
Jane Hiller, janehiller@gmail.com
803-779-0608
1132 Idlewilde Blvd., Columbia, SC 29201
Offers in-school Green Step School presentations for K-12 students and educators and Sonoco Recycling field studies for EEASC or Green Step groups of 10-25 people, 3rd grade or older.
South Carolina State Museum
https://scmuseum.org/education/field-trips/
webmaster@scmuseum.org
803-898-4999
301 Gervais St., Columbia, SC 29201
Various field trip opportunities, guided tours, and interactive programs. Admission for students is free, and guided programs cost $3 per student.
Sustainable Midlands
https://www.sustainablemidlands.org/
Jason Craig, jason@sustainablemidlands.org
803-470-4302
School outreach program topics include watersheds and water quality, local foods, gardening, and healthy living.
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Trees of Columbia: Walking Tours of Treasured Trees
https://richlandcountysc.gov/Government/Departments/Conservation/ConservationDistrict/ConservationDistrictNews/TabId/670/ArtMID/1228/ArticleID/1270/Trees-of-Columbia-Walking-Tours-of-Treasured-Trees.aspx
Link provides access to a booklet of maps and tree-themed walking tours in Belser Arboretum, Columbia Riverfront Park, Shandon, and Wales Garden.
Trees of the USC Horseshoe
https://herbarium.biol.sc.edu/publications/USC_Campus%20Tree%20Tour.pdf
800-922-9755
945 Bull St., Columbia, SC 29208
Link provides access to a booklet with information on the trees on USC's campus. This is a free, self-guided walking tour of the USC historic horseshoe and its trees.
Wood Magic Forest Fair
https://www.state.sc.us/forest/wmfair.htm
Matt Schnabel mschnabel@scfc.gov
803-896-8892
South Carolina Forestry Commission
Wood Magic Forest Fair is a free, fun, forestry-fact-filled field trip and festival for fifth-graders. A four-hour program of forestry-related educational experiences and demonstrations, the fair combines hands-on activities with visually engaging presentations to teach children about the importance of forest lands to wildlife, the economy and our daily quality of life. Fair occurs three weeks per year each fall at various locations around the state. More information and the application can be found at the link provided.
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